Helping to make the world a better place
A man of impeccable character and judgement, Chenguang AN is a prolific and highly dedicated IET volunteer. He is a beacon of inspiration for thousands of Chinese engineers and the deserving winner of the IET Core Values Award for Integrity.
Chenguang studied at China’s Central South University, completing a BSc in Electronic Information Science and Technology in 2005 and an MSc in Physical Electronics three years later at the age of 26.
He started working for Hua Dian Yun Tong Power Technology Co Ltd (HDYT) in 2008 as a hardware research and development (R&D) engineer.
Within two years he was promoted to Director of the R&D Centre where he led a team focused on developing the production of DGA (dissolved gas analysis) for the online monitoring of transformers.
In 2017 he became Marketing Strategy Director, his current role. He is responsible for market research, new product development, market sales, and customer and government relations. He’s also HDYT’s go-to person for development advice, having obtained six invention patents and 80 utility model patents.
There’s just no stopping Chenguang, who has published nine scientific papers and managed more than 50 engineering projects.
International Professional Registration Advisor
Chenguang’s first contact with the IET was in August 2013 – just four months later he had added Chartered Engineer status to the list of his achievements. The IET’s mission and values resonated strongly with Chenguang, so in 2014 he became an IET volunteer. His first two volunteer roles involved reviewing conference papers and reporting on the Gansu Province for the IET Beijing office.
Then in 2018 Chenguang took his volunteering to a whole new level: International Professional Registration Advisor (IPRA). He said: “All IPRAs have detailed knowledge of the requirements and routes to professional registration. We review individual cases and advise on whether a candidate is ready to apply for professional registration. We help candidates to complete their application and give advice on how they present their case to the registration panel.
“In China, many applicants aren’t very familiar with the concept of international engineers, what professional registration means and how to apply. That’s the most challenging aspect of my IPRA role, because it’s important that I explain everything to potential applicants as well as encouraging them to apply.
“In November 2017 I received an invitation to act as the IPRA for several International Engineer applicants in Nanning, Guangxi Province. Most of them lacked practical experience on engineering projects. I worked with them on a one-to-one basis, helping them to understand the UK-SPEC [UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence and Commitment] and how to optimise their application form. After several months of hard work, many of the applicants gained International Engineer status. I consider that to be one of my biggest achievements – and two of the engineers are now IET volunteers.”
In his IPRA role, Chenguang has provided invaluable one-to-one support to a huge number of applicants.
Elegant Engineer
One of the reasons why Chenguang has inspired so many engineers to become chartered is a powerful lecture that he has delivered many times to prospective applicants and other professionals in mainland China and Hong Kong. The lecture is based on a report called Be an Elegant Engineer, which he wrote during his 2016 volunteer trip to Gansu Province.
Chenguang is a powerful influencer. “Through my work, more and more engineers have been able to understand what the IET and the UK-SPEC are,” he said. “After listening to my speech, many engineers have decided to apply for the International Engineer certification and have been successful. Many have gone on to achieve Chartered Engineer status too.
“That’s what I find most rewarding about being an IPRA. It makes me very proud.”
Professional Registration Interviewer
In April 2018 Chenguang took on another demanding volunteer role: Professional Registration Interviewer (PRI).
He admits that he found it challenging to familiarise himself with – and master – the UK-SPEC evaluation criteria, as well as to apply them accurately during the interview process. Fortunately, he has got to know many excellent and experienced interviewers at home and abroad who have been happy to help him get to grips with the UK-SPEC and learn a range of interview methods.
Chenguang said: “I have extensive experience of interviewing applicants, but when a candidate is on the borderline between pass and fail, it’s never an easy task. As the PRI, I need to gauge the applicant’s ability, ask searching questions and then recommend whether or not the registration criteria have been met. It’s a big responsibility.”
Always keen to help others and keep learning, in March 2023 Chenguang took on yet another volunteer role: Registration Assessor. At the time of writing, he has yet to receive his first formal assignment.
Committed volunteer
Having read this far, you’ll be in no doubt that Chenguang is an exceptionally driven and talented IET volunteer. He routinely devotes several hours a month to promoting the IET and encouraging Chinese engineers to strive towards professional recognition.
“I think volunteering is an interesting, positive and meaningful thing,” said Chenguang. “It has allowed me to improve my abilities, broaden my horizons and make a lot of great new friends. I really like working as part of a volunteer team too. It’s always a good atmosphere.”
Chenguang is a truly inspirational volunteer who treats everyone he meets with integrity and respect, so it’s entirely fitting that he is the winner of the IET Core Values Award for Integrity.
He said: “Receiving the Core Values Award is both a recognition of my past volunteer work and an inspiration to keep going. Winning this award is not the end; it is a new starting point. I will continue to fulfil my obligations as a volunteer and to do a good job in volunteer service. Through my efforts, I’ll make sure that more people can know about the IET and join the team of IET volunteers.
“For me, volunteering fully embodies the IET ‘spirit’ – a combination of Integrity, Excellence and Teamwork. This spirit gives me strength and helps to make the world a better place.”